The Boundless Podcast

Dr. Barbara Murphy explains the physiology behind Equilume and how her research into the genes that regulate the body’s internal clock led to her work in chronobiology, the study of biological rhythms, and the effects of light on equine physiology.

26 inches wide. 98 inches long. A 3-inch ledge to stand on with a 1,200-pound Thoroughbred beside you.

For a jockey, few people matter more in those final moments before a race than the gate handler standing alongside you.

In this episode of The Boundless Podcast, Ferrin Peterson sits down with Bob Duncan, a legendary starting-gate handler whose career has spanned decades, champion racehorses, and racetracks around the world.

Bob takes us inside the starting gate: the risks gate handlers accept every day, the trust they build with each horse, and why a place most people would find intimidating became a haven for him. He shares stories from his childhood at Belmont Park, the mentors who shaped him, and the horses who taught him some of the most important lessons of his life.

But this conversation goes far beyond the starting gate. Bob explains how his approach to natural horsemanship evolved, why pressure and release can create trust, how horses communicate through subtle changes in their body language and breathing, and why the best horsemanship often means slowing down, giving a horse a choice, and making your idea their idea.

From working with horses like Seattle Slew to learning from Pat Parelli, Monty Roberts, and other masters of horsemanship, Bob’s story is ultimately about curiosity, humility, leadership, and becoming a lifelong student.

Because sometimes the greatest lesson a horse can teach you has nothing to do with racing and everything to do with how you approach life.

From Belgium 🇧🇪 to France 🇫🇷, with chapters in Ireland 🇮🇪, Newmarket, England 🇬🇧, and the United States 🇺🇸, Aurelie never let a lack of racing connections define where she could go.

Growing up in Belgium with no family ties to racing, she followed her curiosity wherever it led. She began veterinary school before realizing her true passion was training racehorses. Determined to build a career in France, she completed four years of jockey school to master both riding and the French language.

Her education didn't stop there. Aurélie sought out some of the best horsemen in the world, spending time riding and learning under Aidan O'Brien in Ireland, gaining experience in Newmarket, England, and working alongside Christophe Clement in the United States before returning to France to establish her own stable.

Today, in Deauville, her horses don't just train on the racetrack. They walk through town, navigate traffic, and gallop along the beaches of Normandy, developing the confidence and adaptability they'll need as they compete across Europe.

In this episode of Boundless, we talk about building a career from the ground up, learning from different racing cultures around the world, and why exposing horses to new environments can make them better athletes.

🎙️ Full episode available now.

What do polo, bull riding, farriery, horsemanship, and serving others have in common? Jason Lau.

In this episode of the Boundless Podcast, I sit down with Jason Lau in Kona, Hawaii, to explore a life shaped by horses, hard work, and purpose. Jason has started nearly 2,000 horses across a wide variety of breeds and disciplines. He's a professional polo player, an accomplished farrier, a former professional bull rider, and someone deeply committed to giving back, whether that's sponsoring young rodeo athletes or helping people heal through the Equiscope.

Together, we discuss lessons horses have taught us, horsemanship that transcends disciplines, how horses have opened doors and taken us around the world, living a life of purpose and service, giving back to the next generation, and healing and recovery with Equiscope.


Whether you're a horseman, athlete, veterinarian, or simply someone searching for a life of greater purpose, this conversation is full of practical wisdom and inspiring stories.

🎙️ Subscribe for more conversations exploring the people shaping the horse industry and the lessons we can all learn from them.

What does it take to spend ten years bringing a forgotten legend back to life?

In this episode of The Boundless Podcast, Dr. Ferrin Peterson sits down with author Kim Wickens, whose acclaimed book Lexington resurrected the story of one of the most influential Thoroughbreds in history.

Before becoming an award-winning author, Kim spent two decades as a criminal defense attorney. What began as simple curiosity about a horse she'd never heard of soon became a decade-long pursuit that led her through archives, libraries, historic racetracks, and hundreds of primary sources. The result was a groundbreaking book that not only tells Lexington's story, but also shines a light on the remarkable people, horses, and forgotten chapters of American history connected to him.

Kim shares the research process behind Lexington, the meaning of grit and perseverance, the parallels between practicing law and writing history, and why some of racing's most important stories have been lost to time. From Civil War-era Kentucky and legendary horsemen to overlooked pioneers like Abe Hawkins and Richard Ten Broeck, this conversation explores the power of determination, curiosity, and the responsibility of preserving history.

Whether you're a fan of horse racing, history, writing, or simply chasing an ambitious dream, this episode is a reminder that extraordinary accomplishments often begin with a single question—and the grit to keep pursuing the answer.

In this episode of The Boundless Podcast, Dr. Ferrin Peterson sits down with legendary stuntman, hang glider, horseman, and Equiscope pioneer John Thorp.From flying through a solar eclipse over Hawaii to surviving devastating injuries and helping both athletes and racehorses recover through bioenergetic therapy, John shares an unbelievable life story built on resilience, faith, innovation, and perseverance.The conversation explores Hollywood stunt work, healing, Eastern and Western medicine, the emotional connection between horses and humans, and what it truly means to live a Boundless life.

In this episode of The Boundless Podcast , Dr. Ferrin Peterson sits down with legendary stuntman, hang glider, horseman, and Equiscope pioneer John Thorp. From flying through a solar eclipse over Hawaii to surviving devastating injuries and helping both athletes and racehorses recover through bioenergetic therapy, John shares an unbelievable life story built on resilience, faith, innovation, and perseverance. The conversation explores Hollywood stunt work, healing, Eastern and Western medicine, the emotional connection between horses and humans, and what it truly means to live a Boundless life.

Before women were allowed in the breeding shed, Sandy Hatfield was told where she couldn’t go.
She went anyway.

In this episode of Boundless, Dr. Ferrin Peterson sits down with one of the most respected stallion managers in the Thoroughbred industry: a woman who built her career from the ground up, working with yearlings, mares, and putting in long hours on the farm before earning her place among the sport’s elite.

Sandy shares her journey from growing up around quarter horses in Oklahoma to building a life in Kentucky, working at top farms, and eventually managing world-class stallions, including champions like Gun Runner.

Her story isn’t just about horses.

It’s about:

• Breaking into a space where women were once not allowed

• Earning respect through consistency, patience, and work ethic

• Leading by example in one of the most demanding roles in racing

• Mentoring the next generation and opening doors that once didn’t exist

Sandy talks about the reality of working with stallions, the danger and discipline it requires, and why understanding both horses and people is the key to lasting success.

She also shares the mindset that carried her through rejection, setbacks, and moments where the path forward wasn’t clear:

show up, work hard, and when someone tells you no, find someone who says yes.

This conversation is a masterclass in leadership, resilience, and what it really takes to build a life doing what you love.

Where Limits End and Boundless Begins.

Before Thorpedo Anna won 10 graded stakes races and became one of the most talked-about horses in Thoroughbred racing, Judy Hicks bred her and believed in her potential from the very beginning. In this episode of The Boundless Podcast, Dr. Ferrin Peterson sits down with Judy at Brookstown Farm to discuss the journey that led to breeding a champion. From purchasing a $10 horse that became her foundation broodmare, to building a breeding program that has produced graded stakes winners, Judy’s story is one of resilience, patience, and unwavering belief. Judy also shares the philosophy behind her farm and her deep respect for animals—where retired mares live out their lives peacefully in a place she calls “the jungle.” It’s a conversation about the long road behind success in the Thoroughbred industry—and the people who dedicate their lives to it.

Dr. Kayce Anderson’s path didn’t follow the “straight line” we’re often promised. In this episode of Boundless, Ferrin Peterson sits down with Kayce—scientist, conservationist, and the heart behind For the Good—to unpack how rejection, resilience, and a deep respect for community shaped a mission that’s changing lives in rural Kenya. Kayce shares how For the Good began with a simple but massive barrier: many girls miss school during puberty because they don’t have access to menstrual hygiene products. What started as providing reusable sanitary pads—paired with reproductive health education—evolved into something even larger: enrolling out-of-school students (most of them girls) and partnering with Maasai communities in Narok County to build local, affordable secondary schools. You’ll hear why humility matters more than “having the answers,” what it really takes to earn trust with elders and educators, and how sustainable impact is built through shared ownership—sometimes literally one goat at a time. Kayce breaks down the community-matching model that funds these schools, the patience required to work at the “pace of the earth,” and why education is both a lifeline and a tool for preserving culture and protecting land rights. This conversation is a powerful reminder that real change isn’t fast, flashy, or imposed—it’s relational, community-led, and built to last. Learn more or support For the Good: ForTheGood.org